Wonderful sports day / athletic festival

[Sports Day] Recommended songs for tug-of-war: powerful BGM that ignites your fighting spirit

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Accompanist / Piano Instructoryuri
Accompanist pianist × piano instructor × web writer. I began piano lessons at age four and, inspired by my piano teacher, decided to pursue music. I went on to specialized music programs in high school and university, where I discovered the appeal of accompanying instrumentalists and singers. Currently, alongside teaching piano, I work mainly in my home region of Aichi as an accompanist for flute, voice, choir, and more. Through lessons, my students often introduce me to trending songs, and my hobby is trying anything on the piano—Japanese and Western pop, commercial jingles, and beyond. Since 2021, I’ve also been active as a web writer, covering music and a variety of other genres.

When you hear “music for tug-of-war at a school sports day,” does any song come to mind?

You might easily imagine tracks for relays or sprints, but when it comes to tug-of-war, nothing quite clicks—that’s probably true for many people.

So in this article, we’ll introduce songs from a wide range of genres—popular J-pop, international pop, video game music, and more—that seem like a great match for tug-of-war.

From powerful, driving tunes to high-energy tracks that stoke your fighting spirit, we’ve gathered plenty of punchy songs.

Use this as a reference when choosing your BGM!

[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: Powerful BGM That Sparks Fighting Spirit (1–10)

Go for it!!Urufuruzu

Ulfuls – Guts da ze!!

Go for it!!Urufuruzu

Guts daze!!, the 1995 smash hit by the Osaka-born rock band Ulfuls that catapulted them to nationwide fame.

With its disco-flavored, high-energy vibe, it’s guaranteed to lift anyone’s spirits! In the music video, Tortoise Matsumoto’s feudal lord costume is comical, and it’s said they actually borrowed the outfit worn by Ken Shimura in his “Baka Tono-sama” skit.

It’s a timeless track that still sounds fresh today, and it’d be a blast if it played during a parent-child tug-of-war event.

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flash[Alexandros]

[Alexandros] – Flash (MV) Theme Song of Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway's Flash

flash[Alexandros]

Centered on powerful guitar riffs and an exhilarating rock sound, [Alexandros]’s theme song paints an epic story.

Released in May 2021, the track brilliantly captures the world of the theatrical anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Hathaway.

Its lyrics—laden with deep messages about hope for the future born from past pain and dialogues with one’s inner voice—are a perfect fit for scenes like a tug-of-war at a sports day, where fighting spirit burns.

The driving sound and empowering message will strengthen team unity and serve as a reliable ally when aiming for victory.

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PlazmaYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – Plazma

PlazmaYonezu Kenshi

A January 2025 single by Kenshi Yonezu distinguished by its powerful beats and grand sound.

Written as the theme song for the feature film Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning-, the piece stands out with energetic, defiant expression.

It portrays profound themes—hope for the future, trust in one’s inner strength, and the bonds forged amid battle—through a unique worldview.

The contrast between fierce electronic beats and delicate melodies brilliantly conveys both fighting spirit and the importance of teamwork.

As music for the tug-of-war, a sport where strength and hearts unite, it’s sure to ignite the fighting spirit of children.

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[Sports Day] Recommended Songs for Tug-of-War: Powerful BGM That Fires You Up (11–20)

GONGWANIMA

WANIMA「GONG」OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO

GONGWANIMA

Starting with a powerful intro where the guitar riff rings out, this fiery track from WANIMA delivers a exhilarating rock sound and an empowering message that resonates deeply.

Released in July 2019 as the theme song for the feature-length anime One Piece: Stampede, the song portrays the feelings of adventurers sailing across vast seas, emphasizing a strong will to face hardships and the importance of bonds with comrades.

It’s the perfect song for moments when you give it your all and step up to the challenge—or when you want to shout out and push yourself forward.

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Zankyo SankaAimer

Aimer「Zankyosanka」MUSIC VIDEO（Demon Slayer:Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc Theme Song）

Zankyo SankaAimer

Rock that bursts with a sense of speed is perfect for showcase events like relays and tug-of-war! “Zankyosanka” is an upbeat tune released by Aimer in 2022, featuring the resounding tones of a vibrant brass band, and it was used as the opening theme for the anime Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc.

The powerful band sound that sets your heart ablaze perfectly matches the excitement of a sports day, doesn’t it?

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GUTS !arashi

[Karaoke] GUTS! / Arashi

GUTS !arashi

Many people remember Arashi’s “GUTS!” as a cherished sports day song—some even say they did group gymnastics to it or that it was their school sports festival cheer song.

Doesn’t just hearing the intro make you feel like someone’s cheering, “Hooray, hooray,” for you? The lyrics, which urge you to sprint through your youth with your friends, are a perfect match for sports day events like tug-of-war.

It’s a song that blows away pre-race nerves and gives you the courage and confidence to compete with integrity.

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LOSERYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu – LOSER

LOSERYonezu Kenshi

Kenshi Yonezu, who enjoys overwhelming support even among elementary and middle school students.

“LOSER” is upbeat and danceable, making it a perfect track for sports day background music.

The title means “loser,” but… precisely because it carries a message like “Don’t give up! Throw yourself into it with everything you’ve got!”, it might be a great, intentional choice.

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